GT500 Tech Trickles Down to 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R
Muscle car for the purists
Ford recently debuted the GT500, its most powerful street-legal car ever. But since it's only available with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, purists may want to stick with the manual-only GT350R. Fortunately, the car receives a few key updates for 2020 to keep it competitive.
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First and foremost, the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350R boasts an updated front suspension. The suspension geometry has been redesigned, and the setup now includes a high-trail steering knuckle from the GT500. To improve steering, Ford put in a new steering rack and recalibrated the electric power steering control system. Also for 2020, GT350 models receive new exterior colors, including Grabber Lime, Twister Orange, Iconic Silver, and Red Hot Metallic.
Other than that, the GT350R carries on as usual with a carbon-fiber wing, carbon-fiber wheels, and oversized front splitter. Along with the carbon-fiber bits, the model sheds extra weight by removing the rear seats and exhaust resonators. The GT350R has a 5.2-liter flat-plane-crank V-8 engine that spins all the way up to 8,200 rpm and makes 526 hp. The engine pairs exclusively to a six-speed manual transmission. Red brake calipers, Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2 tires, and red interior stitching are also included on the GT350R.
The 2020 GT350R starts at $74,530, including a gas guzzler tax. Compare that to the upcomingGT500, which will cost $73,995.
Ford updated the standard GT350 last year, and we liked the changes the Blue Oval made to its rev-happy pony car. We can't wait to get behind the wheel of both the revised GT350R and the GT500 to see which is the better 'Stang for the track.
Source: Ford
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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